By Journalist Teyte Holcomb (OSU).
It is the third day of OIL’s 54th session, and the House has heard bills the majority of the day.
On the orders of the day, Bill No. ORU-514 addresses an act relating to gun legislation also known as the “Just Make Sense” Act of 2023. Representative Rodriguez (ORU) authored this bill for the purposes of ensuring guns that are purchased in the state of Oklahoma are recognized and accounted for.
Currently, Oklahoma does not have a law that requires guns to be registered, or to be bought from a licensed company/ dealer. Rodriguez says that this bill will help eliminate the risk of minors as well as people who shouldn’t own a gun.
“This topic came specifically close to my heart about two years ago,” Rodriguez said. “After the Tulsa shooting, I really wanted to make something that would help prevent these easily preventable crimes.”
Bill No. ORU-514 will penalize any seller that fails to comply with these regulations will be “subject to a loss of Firearm Seller’s License along with a suspension of the ability to reapply for five years and a fine of $10,000 to be paid within three days.”
Representative Jasper (OSU) said he can appreciate the bill’s intentions, but doesn’t see it working out in the long run.
“I think the bill makes a lot of good points,” Jasper said. “I think there’s a lot of conflict when it comes to private citizens selling guns. I also find it unconstitutional to create and use a gun registry.”
Federal law currently prohibits a national gun registry, so the implementation of an Oklahoma one would only account for those bought and sold in the state. As well, ORU-514 would require sellers to obtain a “Firearm Seller’s license” in order to gain the ability to buy and sell their firearms.
While Rodriguez says this license will help alleviate unnecessary purchasing of guns, Representative Walker (SE) said that the license will cause more harm than good.
“This bill’s intent is noble, however I am concerned,” Walker said. “The stipulations of the Firearm Seller license do not work. The amendment I proposed would make this not apply to families as well as selling guns between spouses. It’s got good intent, but it could use some work.”
Even as the majority of the House had questions about ORU Bill No. ORU-514, the House passed the bill in a vast majority. The bill will now move on to the Senate tomorrow to be voted on.